Printing and cutting

ABSTRACT

A method including printing an image onto a medium and printing an alignment region onto the medium. The method further including loading the medium to an electronic cutter and aligning the medium with the electronic cutter. The method further including cutting the image from the medium.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/057,886 filed on Jun. 2, 2008,titled “System and Method for Printing and Cutting”, to Jonathan AaronJohnson, the contents of which are incorporated in their entirety hereinby reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates to a system and method for printing and cutting.

BACKGROUND

Typical personal cutting apparatuses are not configured for cutting overan arbitrary printed image, such as may be produced by an inkjetprinter. Moreover, attempts to cut a printed image may lead tomisalignment and frequent mistakes. Thus, a need exists for a simple andaccurate method to align a personal cutting apparatus with a printedimage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a printer used to print an image on a craft material.

FIG. 2 is a personal electronic cutter with the craft material loadedand being aligned.

FIG. 3 is a personal electronic cutter used for cutting out the image.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a configurable mat-less craft paper.

FIG. 5 is a view of a mat-less craft material.

FIG. 6 is a method of printing and cutting.

FIG. 7 is a system for the personal electronic cutter that includes anoptical sensor for finding an alignment region.

FIG. 8 is a method for printing and cutting having automatic alignment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Figures illustrate an exemplary embodiment of printing and cuttingin accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Based on theforegoing, it is to be generally understood that the nomenclature usedherein is simply for convenience and the terms used to describe theinvention should be given the broadest meaning by one of ordinary skillin the art. This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) toU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/057,886 filed on Jun. 2,2008, titled “System and Method for Printing and Cutting”, to JonathanAaron Johnson, the contents of which are incorporated in their entiretyherein by reference.

FIG. 1 shows a first step where a user may print an image 140 to a craftmaterial 120. The user may design or select the image using a personalcomputer and/or a software package suited for printing images. A printer110 may be, for example, an inkjet printer, a laser printer, or anyother type of printer. The craft material 120 may be any type of paper,sticker, sticker holder, or other material that may be desirable. Thesoftware package may include special features for printing and cuttingof shapes in the craft material 120. In one example, a feature includesthe automatic printing of an alignment region 130 on the craft material120 so that the cutter 210 may be aligned with the image 140 in latersteps. Using the software package or other printing software, the usermay print images to their regular printer using a mat-less stock(described below). Such images, when cut may be considered “Sticut”image. Alternatively, the user may print images on regular paper orother materials that may be used with a sticky-mat-type cuttingsubstrate that may include a sticky surface to hold the paper during thecutting operation. Note that alignment region 130 may be printed by theprinter or it may be pre-printed on the craft material.

FIG. 2 shows a second step, the user takes printed result, inserts itinto their personal electronic cutter 210 (e.g., Cricut® machine) andregisters the blade position by pushing down the blade arm and aligningthe blade housing 240 within the printed alignment region 130. Anexample of a Cricut® machine is described in detail in application Ser.No. 11/457,419, filed Jul. 13, 2006, to Robert Workman et al., thecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The alignment region 130 is shown in FIGS. 2-5 as a circle in the cornerof the craft material 120. The alignment region 130 may be located in anon-used portion of the craft material to avoid printing image 140 overthe alignment region 130. The size of alignment region 130 is such thatthe cutting head of the personal electronic cutter 210 may fit perfectlywithin the circle of alignment region 130 to properly align the paper,and the printed image 140, with the cutting machine. If there is amisalignment after loading the craft material 120 into the cuttingmachine 210, the user may use the “arrow-keys” 230 of the cuttingmachine to maneuver the cutting head to position over alignment region130. Alternatively, as discussed below with respect to FIGS. 7 and 8,the personal electronic cutter 210 may automatically locate thealignment region 130 using an optical sensor.

Once alignment is achieved, the craft material 120 is in a known X-Yalignment with the electronic cutter 210. Then user may then cut aroundthe periphery of the printed area. This may be accomplished, forexample, by having the software package control the electronic cutter210 directly since the software package knows the position of thealignment region 130 with respect to the printed image 140.

In another embodiment, the printed image 140 and the cutting mayperformed using the cartridge only. To ensure accurate registration, theprint and cut functions are controlled by a print & cut software on apersonal computer (PC) or by the personal electronic cutter itself,having specialized print & cut hardware. For example, the cartridge mayinclude X-Y alignment offsets for the printed image 140 and the cuttingpath.

In use, the alignment region 130 may be printed in upper right corner ofthe craft media. After the user loads the craft media into the personalelectronic cutter, the user imply pushes the blade housing 240 down tosee if the housing and target are aligned. If they are not, the userthen changes the location of the blade housing using the arrow keys 230.Once alignment is complete, the user then indicates that alignment iscomplete, e.g. pushing the “cut” button on the personal electroniccutter.

FIG. 3 shows the software controlling the personal electronic cutter 210to edge-cut the artwork 140. Alternatively, the cartridge 250 of theelectronic cutter 210 may include the cutting location relative to thealignment region 130 and cut the image 140 at the periphery.

FIG. 4 shows a mat-less stock, generally considered a cutting stock,that does not require a separate mat to be cut. The mat-less stock 120may include regions 410, 420 at the outer periphery that provide asurface for the rollers of the cutting machine 210 to stick to and drivethe stock. The inner section 440 provides a region for printing, thencutting. In one example, the outer regions are scored in relation to themain region providing a roller edge. In a small version, the mat-lessstock includes a tear-away portion 430 that leaves a six (6) inchsection, with roller edges 410, 420. The larger size of the mat-lessstock 120 allows for use in standard printers and then when tear-awayportion 430 is removed, the mat-less stock 120 may be used in cuttingmachine having a narrower opening. FIG. 5 shows a mat-less stock 120Athat does not include a tear-away portion.

FIG. 6 shows a method 600 for printing and cutting. The steps mayinclude mat-less stock, or typical paper stock.

In step 610, the user may design or select the artwork to be printedthen cut. The design may use a personal computer or other processingdevice to select artwork. The artwork may be single-color or includemultiple colors. Moreover, the artwork may be selected from storedcartridge content, such as the cartridges provided with the Cricut®personal electronic cutter.

In step 620, the user may print the artwork on cutting stock. Theprinting step may also include printing alignment region 130, oralternatively, alignment region may be pre-printed on the cutting stock.The printing may be accomplished with an inkjet printer, laser printeretc.

In step 625, the user may configure the paper by removing the tear-awayportion 430 (e.g., when using mat-less stock 120). If regular paperstock is used, the configuration step may be skipped. For example, wherea sticky-mat-type system is used (e.g., with the Cricut® personalelectronic cutter) then a tear-away portion may not be required ordesired. The user may then load the craft material 120 into a personalelectronic cutter 210.

In step 630, the user may align the blade housing 240 with alignmentregion 130. To test the alignment, the user may press downwardly onblade housing 240 until blade housing 240 touches, or nearly touches,alignment region 130. If blade housing 240 is perfectly, or nearlyperfectly, within alignment region 130 then the alignment is complete.If blade housing 240 is not perfectly, or nearly perfectly, withinalignment region 130 then the user may adjust the position of bladehousing 240 and craft material 120 until they are. To adjust thepositions, the user may use the “arrow-keys” 230 of the cutting machine(see FIG. 3) to maneuver the cutting head to position over alignmentregion 130. Alternatively, as discussed below with respect to FIGS. 7and 8, the personal electronic cutter 210 may automatically locate thealignment region 130 using an optical sensor.

In step 640, the user may initiate cutting the artwork using theelectronic cutter 120. The user may initiate this action by pressing the“Cut” button on the personal electronic cutter 210.

In providing printing and cutting functionality, the user may purchaseprinting images and cutting images, often purchased as a pair in a“sticut” scenario or having other content. The user may also purchaseprinters and inks specially made or formulated for making stickers usinga printer and electronic cutting machine.

FIG. 7 is a system 700 for the personal electronic cutter 210 thatincludes an optical sensor for finding alignment region 130. Thepersonal electronic cutter 210 includes a processor 710 for controllingan optical sensor 720 and a motion control system 730 for cutter 740.Cutter 740 may include blade housing 240 (as shown above in FIGS. 2 and3). The blade used for cutting the craft material 120 may be housedwithin blade housing 240. The motion control system 730 may include anX-Y-Z controller to move the craft material 120 in a Y direction, theblade housing 240 in an X direction, and the blade housing 240 (andblade) in a Z direction. In this way, processor 710 has control over themotion of the blade housing 240 and the craft material 120. \

In an example, the optical sensor 720 may be located near the bottom ofblade housing 240. Thus, the system motion control 730 allows formovement of the optical sensor with the blade housing 240. Opticalsensor 720 may include a light emitting device such as a light emittingdiode (LED) and an optical detector. Optical sensor 720 may include alight emitting device operating in the infrared spectrum (IR) and anoptical detector sensitive to the same spectrum. Optical sensor 720 maybe designed to detect the edges of alignment region 130 or any patternprinted on craft material 120 to serve as a fiducial. For example, thesystem may be configured to always print alignment region 130 within aregion of the craft material 120, and that the image 140 should notoverlap that region. Given the strategy for printing alignment region130, the personal electronic cutter 210 may use processor 710 andoptical sensor 720 to locate alignment region 130. For example, personalelectronic cutter 210 may use optical sensor 720 to determine theextents of alignment region 130 and then determine the center. Thecenter of alignment region 130 may then become the alignment point andthe offsets for cutting the image 140 are known for a precise cut.

FIG. 8 is a method for printing and cutting having automatic alignment.In this example, the personal electronic cutter 210 automatically alignsthe craft material 120 using an optical sensor.

In step 610, the user may design or select the artwork to be printedthen cut. The design may use a personal computer or other processingdevice to select artwork. The artwork may be single-color or includemultiple colors. Moreover, the artwork may be selected from storedcartridge content, such as the cartridges provided with the Cricut®personal electronic cutter.

In step 620, the user may print the artwork on cutting stock. Theprinting step may also include printing alignment region 130, oralternatively, alignment region may be pre-printed on the cutting stock.The printing may be accomplished with an inkjet printer, laser printeretc.

In step 625, the user may configure the paper by removing the tear-awayportion 430 (e.g., when using mat-less stock 120). If regular paperstock is used, the configuration step may be skipped. For example, wherea sticky-mat-type system is used (e.g., with the Cricut® personalelectronic cutter) then a tear-away portion may not be required ordesired.

In step 810, the user may load the craft material 120 into a personalelectronic cutter 210. When using automatic alignment of the craftmaterial 120 with the personal electronic cutter 210, the user may berequired to place the craft material 120 into the personal electroniccutter 210 at a defined location. This may assist the personalelectronic cutter to locate the alignment region 130. However, such anorientation requirement may not be necessary because the electroniccutter may check opposite corners, or each corner, of the craft material120 if the alignment region 130 is not found.

In step 820, the personal electronic cutter may attempt to locate thealignment region 130. The personal electronic cutter may use processor710 and optical sensor 720 (see FIG. 7) to move craft material 120 andblade housing 240 to locate alignment region 130. In an example, theoptical sensor 720 may be located near the bottom of blade housing 240.Processor 710 may use motion control system 730 to move both the bladehousing 240 and craft material 120 to a starting position at an expectedlocation for alignment region 130. Processor 710 may then move bladehousing 240 and craft material 120 to determine where a boundary foralignment region 130 is. The system may use the optical sensor 720 toemit light, and then use the optical detector to detect the reflection,or substantial lack of reflection, from craft material 120. In this way,a non-printed region of craft material 120 may reflect a significantamount of the light back to the optical detector whereas a printedregion may not reflect as much light back to the optical detector.

In an example, the pattern of alignment region 130 is known to thepersonal electronic cutter 210. When the optical sensor 720 is move overthe region expected to contain alignment region 130, if the appropriatepattern is detected then the personal electronic cutter 210 may deem thealignment region as found. For example, when alignment region 130 isconfigured as a circle, the personal electronic cutter 210 may know thesize and line thickness of the pattern for comparison. If theappropriately sized circle is found for alignment region 130 (e.g., asshown in FIG. 1) then the personal electronic cutter will determine thecenter of the circle as the initial starting point and/or offset forcutting.

In another example, the alignment region 130 is configured as a circlewith cross-lines therethrough (see FIGS. 4 and 5), the personalelectronic cutter 210 may know the size and line thickness of thepattern for comparison. If the appropriately sized circle is found andthe cross-lines are found for alignment region 130 then the personalelectronic cutter will determine the center of the circle and may verifythe calculation by using the position of intersection for thecross-lines. This location may then be used as the initial startingpoint and/or offset for cutting.

In step 640, the personal electronic cutter may initiate cuttingautomatically after locating the alignment region 130. Alternatively,the user may initiate cutting the artwork using the electronic cutter120. The user may initiate this action by pressing the “Cut” button onthe personal electronic cutter 210.

The present invention has been described with reference to certainexemplary embodiments thereof. However, it will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art that it is possible to embody the invention inspecific forms other than those of the exemplary embodiments describedabove. This may be done without departing from the spirit of theinvention. The exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative and shouldnot be considered restrictive in any way. The scope of the invention isdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents, rather than by thepreceding description.

1. A method, comprising: printing an image onto a medium; printing analignment region onto said medium; loading said medium to an electroniccutter; aligning said medium with said electronic cutter; and cuttingsaid image from said medium.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein aligningfurther comprises: aligning a component of said electronic cutter withsaid alignment region.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein aligningfurther comprises: moving said component of said electronic cutter inrelation to said alignment region.
 4. The method of claim 3, whereinmoving further comprises: operating a user interface having an X/Yposition input to move said component.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: removing a portion of said medium.
 6. A method, comprising:printing an image onto a medium; printing an alignment region onto saidmedium; loading said medium to an electronic cutter; aligning saidmedium with said electronic cutter using an optical sensor to detectsaid alignment region; and cutting said image from said medium.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, wherein aligning further comprises: aligning saidoptical sensor with said alignment region.
 8. The method of claim 6,wherein aligning further comprises: locating the extents of saidalignment region using said optical sensor.
 9. The method of claim 8,wherein moving further comprises: determining the center of saidalignment region using said extents.